Food poisoning and infectious diseases

What food poisoning is, symptoms and what to do if you have possible food poisoning.

Food poisoning is usually caused by eating or drinking something contaminated with harmful bacteria or their toxins. Common examples include Salmonella and E.Coli.

Symptoms of food poisoning

You may experience:

  • stomach ache
  • diarrhoea
  • nausea or vomiting
  • raised temperature

Find out more about food poisoning on the NHS website.

Reporting suspected food poisoning

If you think you've had food poisoning, contact your GP. They may ask you to provide a stool (poo) sample for testing.

To inform us of a suspected food poisoning or discuss any specific queries or concerns, contact us.

Email: environmental.health@cumberland.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 373 3730

When we investigate

We investigate confirmed cases of food poisoning and other infectious diseases, usually reported to us by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) after a positive lab result.

We decide whether to investigate based on:

  • the type of illness
  • the number of people affected
  • the severity of symptoms
  • how long ago the illness started
  • whether there's a risk to public health

Our aim is to prevent the spread of illness in the home and community.

Our investigation

If we decide to investigate, we may contact you to ask about:

  • what and where you ate before becoming ill
  • your symptoms and when they started
  • whether you've been abroad recently
  • whether anyone else you ate with became ill
  • whether your GP has taken a stool sample

To prevent the spread of the illness our environmental health officers may decide to investigate.